This year, Lebanon experienced a unique opportunity as Easter and Eid Al-Fitr coincided, attracting numerous tourists and Lebanese in the diaspora back to the country for the extended holidays.
In April, despite security concerns in the south, over 12,000 Lebanese from the diaspora arrived through Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport.
Tourism sources informed Al Markazia that they expect these numbers to increase further due to Eid al-Fitr at the end of the week.
The tourist surge has been a boon for the hotel sector, with occupancy rates in some hotels exceeding 90%.
Meanwhile, the restaurant industry anticipates being fully booked throughout the four-day Eid Al-Fitr celebrations, offering a much-needed boost to the tourism sector.
Al Markazia also reported that airlines have increased flights to Lebanon or used larger aircraft to accommodate more passengers, especially from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Paris, and London.
The number of arrivals this summer is expected to surpass last year’s figures, exceeding 2 million visitors.
Additionally, rumors suggest that the UAE and Saudi Arabia, historically significant contributors to Lebanese tourism, may lift travel restrictions for their citizens, potentially providing a substantial boost to Lebanon’s economy and tourism industry.
